SYMPONIA HOSPICE
Provider Information
- Address
- 4288 MEMORIAL DR, SUITE B
DECATUR, GA 30032 - Ownership Type
- For-Profit
- Medicare Certified Since
- April 16, 2018
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CMS Quality Ratings
Composite score combining quality measures and patient survey results.
Based on the CMS Hospice Care Index — 10 operational quality indicators including visits near death, nursing minutes, and care transitions.
CAHPS Hospice Survey — family caregivers rate communication, symptom management, respect, and overall experience.
CMS scores as of May 2026. Quality of Care derived from CMS Hospice Care Index. Patient Satisfaction from the CMS CAHPS Hospice Survey. Overall is the equally-weighted average of both. All source data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Staffing & Capacity
| Role | Staff Count |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses (RN) | 10 |
| Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) | 3 |
| Physicians | 2 |
| Volunteers | 22 |
29
Total Employees
Staffing data as reported to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Inpatient Care and Medical Equipment
Hospices report these services to Medicare when they are certified. This is what SYMPONIA HOSPICE reported, not a check of what it offers today. Confirm current arrangements with the hospice.
- Short-term inpatient care
- Arranged through another hospital or nursing home
- Type of inpatient care
- Both general inpatient care and respite care
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Brought in through an outside supplier
Short stays in a hospice inpatient unit, hospital, or nursing home for pain or symptoms that cannot be managed where the patient lives, or to give family caregivers a break.
Equipment and supplies tied to the terminal illness and the plan of care, such as a hospital bed, oxygen, wound supplies, or a wheelchair.
Medicare lets hospices provide these services through arrangements with other organizations. Either way, the hospice stays responsible for the covered care in the patient’s plan of care.
Reported by this hospice to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services when it was certified in 2021.
Care Details from Medicare Data
Medicare computes these numbers from claims and required reporting. They show how SYMPONIA HOSPICE compares to hospices nationwide.
10.4 minutes
of nurse care per routine home care day, on average
That is the 29th percentile among hospices nationally. The national median is about 12 minutes.
59
patients in care on an average day
A rough measure of size. Smaller can mean more personal. Larger can mean more resources.
How this hospice compares nationally
Bars show national standing on measures from the CMS Hospice Care Index. A fuller bar means this hospice does better than more of the hospices CMS tracks.
- Nurse care minutes per home care day10.4 min
Ranks better than about 29% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The average minutes of nursing care per day for patients getting routine care at home, based on Medicare claims. More nurse time usually means more hands-on support.
- Skilled nursing on weekends10.8%
Ranks better than about 74% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of skilled nursing time delivered on Saturdays and Sundays. Symptoms do not wait for weekdays, so weekend coverage matters.
- Nurse visits in the last days of life95.6%
Ranks better than about 66% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who got nurse visits in their final days of life. This is when families tend to need the most support.
- Gaps in nursing visits83.7%
Ranks better than about 10% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
How often patients went more than a week without a nursing visit. Fewer gaps mean steadier attention.
- Patients discharged alive early in care4.2%
Ranks better than about 66% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice alive within the first week of care. A rate of 0% means it did not happen to any of their patients.
- Patients discharged alive after 6 months48.6%
Ranks better than about 21% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients discharged alive after six months or more in hospice care.
- Hospital transfers near the end of care6.9%
Ranks better than about 51% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, spent time in the hospital, then came back to hospice.
- Hospital stays that interrupt hospice2.8%
Ranks better than about 28% of hospices nationally on this measure.
What this measures
The share of patients who left hospice, went to the hospital, and died there soon after.
- Days at higher levels of care (CHC or GIP)52nd percentile
What this measures
The share of care days delivered at higher levels, such as continuous home care or inpatient care. Shown only as a national rank because small percentages round to zero.
- Medicare spending per patient$21,393 · 68th percentile
What this measures
What Medicare paid per patient for this hospice's care. Higher or lower spending is not a quality judgment by itself.
Care steps completed at admissionShow detailsMedicare tracked 8 required care steps for new patients here, completed for 61.7% of patients or more. Most hospices score above 90 percent.
- Pain screening79.7%
- Pain assessment85.5%
- Breathing difficulty screening100%
- Breathing difficulty treatment100%
- Treatment preferences discussed100%
- Beliefs and values discussed99.5%
- Visits in the last days of life61.7%
- All care steps completed74.9%
Conditions of patients in their care
Share of patients by primary diagnosis. Useful if you want a team with experience in a specific condition.
- Cancer20%
- Dementia33%
- Heart and circulatory disease19%
- Lung and respiratory disease9%
- Other conditions19%
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reporting period January 2023 through December 2024. Percentiles are computed by CMS across all reporting hospices.
Symponia Hospice in Decatur
Symponia Hospice serves the Decatur community from their office on Memorial Drive. They offer hospice care for people who need end-of-life support. This provider has been certified by Medicare since 2018. They focus on providing care to families throughout DeKalb County. It is a freestanding hospice center that operates as a for-profit organization. Their team works to provide comfort and care to patients in their own homes or care facilities. Choosing a hospice provider often feels like a tough decision. Having a Medicare-certified provider nearby can help provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Their experience since 2018 shows they have served the local area for several years now. That matters when you seek reliable support.
About Symponia Hospice
Symponia Hospice operates as a for-profit provider in Georgia. They hold a clear history of Medicare certification starting in April of 2018. This means they meet federal rules for safety and care quality. The team consists of 29 employees who handle different parts of patient needs. This includes 10 registered nurses and 3 licensed practical nurses. They also employ 2 physicians to help guide medical care. A group of 22 volunteers supports the staff as well. Families should know that these volunteers provide extra social support and companionship. This is a common feature in many high-quality programs. Using a certified provider helps ensure the care meets specific national standards. You can feel better knowing they answer to federal oversight. The staff size allows them to keep a steady ratio of care providers to patients. Their structure reflects the typical setup for freestanding hospice centers in this region.
Quality Overview
What Is Hospice Care Like in Decatur?
Hospice care in Decatur focuses on comfort rather than a cure for illness. It brings medical help directly to the patient where they live. The team here includes doctors, nurses, and volunteers who all work together. They visit patients to manage pain and help with daily needs. Having 10 registered nurses means the team can handle complex medical tasks. They monitor changes in health and adjust plans as needed. The 22 volunteers add a layer of human connection. They might read to a patient or just sit and talk for a while. This local support system aims to reduce stress for everyone involved. Good care is local care. You want a team that knows the area and can reach you quickly. That is exactly what a local hospice office aims to do for your family every single day.
What to Ask When Choosing a Hospice Provider
Choosing a hospice team is a big step for your family. You should ask questions that help you understand the care process. Start by asking how quickly a nurse can get to your home in an emergency. This is a simple but vital question. Ask how the team handles pain management at night or on the weekend. You need to know that help is there when you need it most. Ask how often the volunteers visit and what they do for the patient. It helps to know if they provide respite for tired family members too. Finally, ask what their specific process is for changing a care plan. You should feel comfortable with the answers you get. Do not be afraid to ask for more details. Good providers will always take the time to answer you clearly and with total honesty.
Keep Family Memories Alive
Your family has a story that deserves to be remembered for years to come. Start preserving those precious moments today.
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